Ice storm of Jan. 23-24, 2014

A winter storm on Thursday night, January 23 and Friday morning, January 24 covered San Antonio and the Hill Country in a thin blanket of ice and snow that left thousands powerless and caused officials to close roadways, schools and many area businesses for part or all of the day.

Icicles hang by a tent during the 36th Cowboy Breakfast in the parking lot of Cowboys Dance Hall on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The event unofficially kicks off the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Icicles hang by a tent during the 36th Cowboy Breakfast in the parking lot of Cowboys Dance Hall on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The event unofficially kicks off the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

Icicles hang by a tent during the 36th Cowboy Breakfast in the... Photo-5769903.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Krystal Luna holds her son Brian Longoria,5, while listening to live music in the parking lot of Cowboys Dancehall during the annual Cowboy Breakfast. People braving 27 degree weather and icy roads turned out for free tacos, biscuits, sausage and more. less

Krystal Luna holds her son Brian Longoria,5, while listening to live music in the parking lot of Cowboys Dancehall during the annual Cowboy Breakfast. People braving 27 degree weather and icy roads turned out ... more

Brian Longoria, 5, keeps warm in frigid weather during the 36th Cowboy Breakfast in the parking lot of Cowboys Dance Hall on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The event unofficially kicks off the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. less

Brian Longoria, 5, keeps warm in frigid weather during the 36th Cowboy Breakfast in the parking lot of Cowboys Dance Hall on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The event unofficially kicks off the San Antonio Stock Show & ... more

A tractor trailer rig and an SUV are lodged against the side barrier of the southbound interchange of Loop 410 and IH-35 southbound. Most highway bridges and interchanges were coated with ice Friday January 24, 2014. less

A tractor trailer rig and an SUV are lodged against the side barrier of the southbound interchange of Loop 410 and IH-35 southbound. Most highway bridges and interchanges were coated with ice Friday January 24, ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

A tractor trailer rig and an SUV are lodged against the side... Photo-5770610.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Vehicles are parked on the side of IH-35 southbound near Walters street Friday January 24, 2014 after icy road conditions contributed to numerous traffic accidents in the San Antonio area.

Vehicles are parked on the side of IH-35 southbound near Walters street Friday January 24, 2014 after icy road conditions contributed to numerous traffic accidents in the San Antonio area.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Vehicles are parked on the side of IH-35 southbound near Walters... Photo-5770611.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday Jan. 24, 2014 as cold temperatures returned to the area. Icy conditions caused school and road closures throughout the area

Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday Jan. 24, 2014 as cold temperatures returned to the area. Icy conditions caused school and road closures throughout the area

Photo: Helen L. Montoya, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday... Photo-5770489.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday Jan. 24, 2014 as cold temperatures returned to the area. Icy conditions caused school and road closures throughout the area

Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday Jan. 24, 2014 as cold temperatures returned to the area. Icy conditions caused school and road closures throughout the area

Photo: Helen L. Montoya, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Colton Whitefield scrapes the ice off his dad's car on Friday... Photo-5770490.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Brush holds frozen precipitation as ice covers the countryside north of New Braunfels on January 24, 2014.

Brush holds frozen precipitation as ice covers the countryside north of New Braunfels on January 24, 2014.

Icicles hang off a wrong way sign on IH-35 northbound as tarffic is diverted off the highway near Walzem road becuase of iced over bridges.

Icicles hang off a wrong way sign on IH-35 northbound as tarffic is diverted off the highway near Walzem road becuase of iced over bridges.

Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News

Icicles hang off a wrong way sign on IH-35 northbound as tarffic is... Photo-5770145.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at New Braunfels Avenue Friday January 24, 2014 because of iced over bridges and multiple traffic accidents.

Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at New Braunfels Avenue Friday January 24, 2014 because of iced over bridges and multiple traffic accidents.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at New Braunfels Avenue... Photo-5770612.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at IH-37 Friday January 24, 2014 because of iced over bridges and multiple traffic accidents.

Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at IH-37 Friday January 24, 2014 because of iced over bridges and multiple traffic accidents.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Traffic is diverted off of IH-35 southbound at IH-37 Friday January... Photo-5770613.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Ice are seen on plants along Vance Jackson Road after an overnight winter storm on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The storm caused icing on roadways and forced some parts of highways to be temporarily shut down.

Ice are seen on plants along Vance Jackson Road after an overnight winter storm on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The storm caused icing on roadways and forced some parts of highways to be temporarily shut down.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Ice are seen on plants along Vance Jackson Road after an overnight... Photo-5772878.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Ice crystals hang from a bus stop sign along Vance Jackson Road after an overnight winter storm on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The storm caused icing on roadways and forced some parts of highways to be temporarily shut down. less

Ice crystals hang from a bus stop sign along Vance Jackson Road after an overnight winter storm on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The storm caused icing on roadways and forced some parts of highways to be temporarily ... more

It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here are some deer keeping their footing on the grass and gravel.

It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here are some deer keeping their footing on the grass and gravel.

Photo: Reader Photo/Bruno Torres

It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here are some deer keeping... Photo-5773142.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here's a view across Canyon Lake golf course and the Hill Country.

It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here's a view across Canyon Lake golf course and the Hill Country.

Photo: Reader Photo/Bruno Torres

It was 25 this morning in Canyon Lake. Here's a view across... Photo-5773143.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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While everyone else around him was rushing into an East Side convenience store bundled up in sweaters and coats, Karl Lubbering, 44, calmly strolled to his black sedan sporting a muscle tee. The San Antonio native wasn't trying to come off as a tough guy. Rather he said he actually prefers the frigid weather. less

While everyone else around him was rushing into an East Side convenience store bundled up in sweaters and coats, Karl Lubbering, 44, calmly strolled to his black sedan sporting a muscle tee. The San Antonio ... more

Photo: Valentino Lucio/San Antonio Express-News

While everyone else around him was rushing into an East Side... Photo-5773126.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

The one dozen cyclists who deliver food downtown for the company Bike Waiter already had face masks, but a happy customer on Friday gave them something else to keep warm: hand-knitted hats. Company co-owner Heather Monroe said they had helped the customer connect with a charitable organization to help her through the holidays, and wanted to give back to thank them for their kindness. less

The one dozen cyclists who deliver food downtown for the company Bike Waiter already had face masks, but a happy customer on Friday gave them something else to keep warm: hand-knitted hats. Company co-owner ... more

Photo: Eva Ruth Moravec/San Antonio Express-News

The one dozen cyclists who deliver food downtown for the company... Photo-5773109.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Photo: JENNY WILLARDSON, Courtesy Photo/Jenny Willardson Photography

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. Photo-5773080.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Photo: JENNY WILLARDSON, Courtesy Photo/Jenny Willardson Photography

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. Photo-5773081.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Photo: JENNY WILLARDSON, Courtesy Photo/Jenny Willardson Photography

Detail shot of the ice from the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. Photo-5773082.78433 - San Antonio Express-News

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Ice began to melt by 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, throughout the city, including at the Express-News parking lot on Third Avenue and Alamo Street.

Ice began to melt by 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, throughout the city, including at the Express-News parking lot on Third Avenue and Alamo Street.

Joshua Spann Jr. proves that neither snow, rain or sleet can keep him from his appointed rounds on E. Guenther St. in King William as he delivers the mail. And he bundled up for the wintry blast on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, wearing three layers of clothing, two pairs of socks and heavy gloves. "I'd wear two pair of gloves it's so cold but then I couldn't handle the mail," he said. less

Joshua Spann Jr. proves that neither snow, rain or sleet can keep him from his appointed rounds on E. Guenther St. in King William as he delivers the mail. And he bundled up for the wintry blast on Friday, Jan. ... more